High-Yield Syntheses of Tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide and Tetra-O-pivaloyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide and their Advantage in the Koenigs-Knorr Reaction

Several improved approaches for the preparation of tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide and tetra-O-pivaloyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide are discussed. The importance of these compounds, which are useful glycosyl donors, was demonstrated by successful preparation of cholesteryl glucopyranosides in an almost neutral medium without the formation of orthoesters. In addition, accurate 1H and 13C NMR resonance assignments of the synthesized cholesteryl glycosides were performed by 2D NMR spectroscopy.